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Time to take a breather
Posted: Saturday June 10, 2000 09:34 AM
SALT LAKE CITY -- Since its inception in 1997, the WNBA has developed at a dizzying pace, growing from eight teams to 16, expanding the playoff format and adding four games to the regular schedule and an all-star game. Now, with the fourth season tipping off on May 29, it's finally time to take a breather, according to WNBA president Val Ackerman . The league has expanded every year, including the addition of four teams -- Miami, Indiana, Seattle and Portland -- this season. Expanding to four teams this season was part of the agreement the league reached with the Women's National Basketball Players Association last year. Ackerman, however, doesn't foresee any expansion for the 2001 season, which should come as welcome news to the current teams. Ackerman said the possibility of expansion will be addressed year by year. "We've been growing a great deal and for a lot of reasons," Ackerman said. "Doubling in size has added some significant costs to the league, adding 44 player jobs this year alone. It's also important for a new league to be mindful of the effects expansion has on the league and the dilution of talent with the teams." The expansion draft is a necessary thing for new teams to be competitive from the start, but it has also hindered other teams in their race to catch the three-time defending champ Houston Comets. Granted, teams were allowed to protect their core players, but they still lost some good talent and chemistry in the drafts. "They may have only been our sixth, seventh or eighth players, but we still hated to lose them," Utah coach Fred Williams said. "It means you have to rebuild in certain areas." Hopefully, without an expansion draft, teams can have a little more consistency in their rosters, although expansion drafts certainly aren't the only reasons rosters have changed. Not surprisingly, there are very few players who have been with their original teams since the beginning. The originalsHouston has the most with six players on its training camp roster who were on the original team, New York has five while Cleveland, Los Angeles and Phoenix have three each and Charlotte two. Sacramento has one and Utah has none. The latest expansion teams didn't receive any allocated players, unlike expansion teams of the past. However, the sentiment around the league is the newest teams will be competitive from the start, thanks in part to the wealth of former American Basketball League talent that was available through free agency. "All of the expansion teams have very good coaches, and they're going to get the most out of the talent they have," said Orlando coach Carolyn Peck . "No one is assuming that, just because you're playing an expansion team, you're going to win." Ackerman, like all the league GMs and coaches, already is looking forward to the 2001 draft. Next year's college class is one of the strongest ever, plus many international stars, such as Australia's Lauren Jackson , are expected to join the league after staying home to train with their respective Olympic teams. Jackson, at 6-foot-5, is penciled in by some as the top pick in the draft. "Since we won't be expanding next year, every team is going to have a chance to get better," she said.
Training Camp WoesPart of the success of training camp is getting through the period without suffering any major injuries. So far, most of the teams have been able to do so. The most serious injury to date occurred May 14 when Starzz point guard Jennifer Azzi broke her hand in a preseason game against Portland. Korie Hlede , who played with Azzi in Detroit, is the most likely candidate to start at the point while Azzi recovers. Hlede was expected to be the starting shooting guard. Azzi was re-examined on May 23. Doctors discovered the fractured bone has shifted, and Azzi underwent surgery Thursday so a plate could be put in her hand to stabilize the fracture. However, the surgery shouldn't delay her recovery and the Starzz remain hopeful she will be back before the all-star break in July. Other teams have had various injuries, but none as serious, including Minnesota's Andrea Lloyd-Curry , who missed several weeks with a sprained foot. Miami point guard Debbie Black has returned to practice after back surgery on April 2 and is expected to be ready for the season opener.
Proud Cardinal momWith 15 players in training camp, the Stanford Cardinal have more players in the WNBA than any other college team. Interestingly, Azzi and Kate Starbird are the only Stanford players to win the Naismith Award, given to the top college player. Stanford coach Tara VanDerveer said she purchases TV packages so she can keep up with all her former players. "I watch as much as I can and email them," VanDerveer said. "It's great to be able to watch them." Louisiana Tech is close behind with 11 players in training camp. Tennessee has seven and Connecticut five.
Around the LeagueElena Baranova , expected to be Miami's go-to player before tearing several ligaments in her knee on draft day while playing in Europe, had surgery this week and, according to Miami coach Ron Rothstein , is planning to return to the WNBA. Several weeks ago it was thought the 1996 Olympian would retire because the injury was so extensive. Indiana coach Anne Donovan is still disappointed the league couldn't persuade Teresa Edwards to sign with the WNBA. Edwards is the only member of the 2000 U.S. Senior National Team who isn't playing in the league. "I'm extremely disappointed because she is one of the greatest players in the game and she could have been showcased in the general public, but Teresa makes her own decisions." Former Purdue coach Peck received an extended welcome from the home crowd when she and her Orlando Miracle played at Indiana in an expansion game, which the Miracle won 82-71 ... Word has it Edwina Brown , Detroit's third overall pick, is having an impressive camp and could be in for a big year.
Lya Wodraska is a sports writer for the Salt Lake Tribune.
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